Court Dismisses Plea against Kushboo

Popular film actress Kushboo, accused of disrespecting Hindu deities at a recent film launch, won relief today after a court here dismissed a private complaint seeking action against her, saying no prima facie case existed. Additional District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate Babulal dismissed the petition, filed by Hindu Munnani Town Secretary Gurumurthy, holding there was no sufficient ground to proceed.

Citing photographs of Kushboo reportedly sitting cross-legged near idols of Hindu deities on the dais during the film launch in November, the petitioner had contended that she had shown disrespect and hurt the sentiments of Hindus.” Considering the sworn statements of witnesses and records, this court is of the opinion that no ingredient to constitute an offence under IPC sections 295, 295-A and 296 (pertaining to hurting religious sentiments) is made out against the accused and there is no sufficient ground to proceed,” the judge observed.

Kushboo, whose comments on sex landed her in legal wrangles two years back, found herself at the centre of a fresh controversy following the film launch function with some Hindu outfits accusing her of deliberately showing disrespect to Hindu deities. Besides the complaint here, similar cases were filed by Hindu Makkal Katchi activists against her in Chennai and Rameswaram courts also.